October 11, 2006
Darcy Burner Can't Tell the Truth About Her Voting Record

The Seattle Times hosted Darcy Burner today for an online Q&A (Dave Reichert will do a similar appearance on October 16th). More on a couple issues later, but for now, let's look at a glaring gaffe Burner made on the topic of her own voting record.

Here's the online question:

Darcy, is it true that you only voted in 6 of 15 elections that King County records show you were eligible to vote in from 1999 to 2003? If so, why is your personal voting record so spotty? If this is not true, can you tell me how many elections you were eligible for within that period per your records and how many of those you voted in? -- Bob Nix, Kent

D.B.: First, the voting record that matters is Dave Reichert's: he has missed 30 votes as a Congressman in the past two years, including skipping an important vote on the Iraq war when he chose to be here raising money with George Bush.

As to the Republican smear, King County elections does not identify which elections a voter is eligible to vote in, only which ones they have voted in. My attackers are wrong: They identify elections I could not legally vote in, since I do not live in Redmond's city limits.

Burner seems to be able to come to grips with the fact she has a terrible record voting in elections prior to 2004. Stefan has laid out the facts quite clearly. Contrary to the implications of Burner's response, I (and probably Stefan too for that matter) can attest it is very easy to examine a list of which elections in which someone did or did not vote, and the relevant voter registration addresses for those elections, to determine in which voting jurisdictions a voter was eligible in a given year, and thus, whether or not a voter missed any elections.

In this case, the record is quite clear, Burner voted in only 6 of the 15 elections she was eligible for from 1998 through 2003 (apologies for the typo in past coverage which said "from 1999 through 2003") - or 12 of 21 elections from 1998 through this year's primary if you want to slice it another way. Yet, she claims: "They identify elections I could not legally vote in, since I do not live in Redmond's city limits." Stefan, who one can guess knows a thing or two about the King County Elections Office, has shown quite clearly that Burner did not vote in 9 of the 10 elections cited by the NRCC. Moreover, the 6 of 15 figure noted above has nothing at all to do with City of Redmond elections, which Burner seems to be using as her alibi.

If Burner wants to change the subject to Reichert that's fine; such moves are a time-honored tradition in politics. But she shouldn't lie about her own record when confronted with it.

Posted by Eric Earling at October 11, 2006 05:55 PM | Email This
Comments
1. Darcy's response (and HA's) will be that it is immaterial on when she has personaly spent time in the voting booth (virtually or literally). So, even though, she is a neophyte with several experienced mentors, does it really matter when she has cast votes?

What matters is her incomplete or incorrect responses about her proponent. That is lying! Opps! I should not have said that because that is all the the Democrat partisans can say about anyone not in their party.

Tim

Posted by: sillyguy on October 11, 2006 06:41 PM
2. brilliant analysis, sillyguy. you may be the only person on earth who could misspell "oops".

Posted by: guest on October 11, 2006 06:44 PM
3. guest: "proponent" is also a malaproprism. sillyguy must really be one.

Posted by: HT on October 11, 2006 08:06 PM
4. As a person unaffected by this election, I read her Q&A with an open mind. What I found is that she really had well thought out non-answers.

She couldn't give a direct answer to anything that was put to her. Instead it all went into the same double-speak we've come to expect out of all politicians.

If you were looking to her as a breath of fresh air and a new face, forget it. She already has the avoid and deflect stance down.

Posted by: Ken on October 11, 2006 08:22 PM
5. Alright so I guess I'm somewhat confused about why it matters whether Darcy Burner did or did not vote in an election.

People don't vote. Even in a Democracy. That is so egregiously obvious that it seems pathetic this brought up as an ATTACK on someone. Is that really how desperate the Republicans are this election that they resort to this? Are they that afraid?

I used to have respect for our system of elections, but it's getting so boring and so pathetic that I don't know if I can take it anymore.

I'd rather both sides stick to strict facts and lay out why people should vote for them.

Rather, they're bothing smearing and that's just sad (I say this with the full knowledge that research shows smear campaigns are effective).

Posted by: What? on October 11, 2006 09:55 PM
6. Alright so I guess I'm somewhat confused about why it matters whether Darcy Burner did or did not vote in an election.

People don't vote. Even in a Democracy. That is so egregiously obvious that it seems pathetic this brought up as an ATTACK on someone. Is that really how desperate the Republicans are this election that they resort to this? Are they that afraid?

I used to have respect for our system of elections, but it's getting so boring and so pathetic that I don't know if I can take it anymore.

I'd rather both sides stick to strict facts and lay out why people should vote for them.

Rather, they're bothing smearing and that's just sad (I say this with the full knowledge that research shows smear campaigns are effective).

Posted by: What? on October 11, 2006 10:00 PM
7. I have seen every online chat that Reichert has done in this election cycle (hint: the number rhymes with "hero.") and one thing is clear: Reichert is mortified of having to take questions and commit to answers on anything. Why do you suppose that is?

Posted by: Sorry Charlie on October 11, 2006 10:32 PM
8. We understand What? You are easily confused, you see if you don't vote on issues you shouldn't complain, like Darcy. She doesn't have a voice because she chooses not to vote. The concept is probably very strange for Darcy supporters, but suprisingly people who want to represent a Congressional district are sometimes called upon to vote in their constituents behalf. If that individual ( in this case Darcy) doesn't have the self respect to participate on a regular basis in elections to express her own opinion by voting, then why would the 8th district give her their proxy as an elected representative? Character counts and your girl doesn't have any.

Posted by: Huh? on October 11, 2006 11:00 PM
9. Her voting record does not count. Darcy has the right not to vote. Rep. Reichert has an obligation to vote while in Congress. He does not have the luxury of choosing. If Darcy wins, then her voting record will come into acount.

I will agree that the political answer is bull. Give me an honest answer and not the package answer. I expect that from both candidates.

Posted by: Kirkland on October 12, 2006 01:49 AM
10. Attn Darcy Supporters:


Since Darcy's voting record doesn't mean diddly sqwat you people, follow her example.

DONT VOTE !!!


Posted by: chris on October 12, 2006 05:56 AM
11. 2 Guest

Thanks for the correction! Must have been the wine and 'o-p' keys so close together...

Posted by: sillyguy on October 12, 2006 06:46 AM
12. Her voting record and LACK of it counts because it is indicative of her engagement in the issues and her commmunity.

What this pathetic voting records shows is that she coundn't be bothered. Now, of course, she suddenlycan be bothered BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO BE ELECTED.

Her lack of interest until it benefits her is another example of her selfish attitude and raw power hunger.

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